RCMP called for urgent action weeks before carbon tax protest fizzled: internal emails
Emails obtained by CTV News show RCMP in Cochrane calling for action and urgent meetings with Alberta's transportation ministry over a months-long carbon tax protest along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary.
"We have a developing situation at the Protest Site at Cochrane today," wrote Cochrane RCMP Sgt. Matt Pumphrey in a Sept. 20 email to several provincial government staffers, including the transportation ministry's head of emergency management.
"I send this to you for awareness and action as it is becoming more and more important from a public safety standpoint to have this site cleared," the sergeant wrote in asking for an urgent discussion on the matter.
The emails between the RCMP and the province were obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The province's written response to Pumphrey's email is completely redacted.
"Right around that time, we had intelligence from the Calgary Police Service that there was going to be another protest that was scheduled to happen in Calgary (and it) was going to happen at that site as well," Pumphrey said on Wednesday.
"It ended up one group showed up, the other group did not. So, we were kind of planning for three different protest groups to come at the same time, but that never materialized."
The protest started along the highway near Cochrane in April as hundreds gathered to speak out against the federal carbon tax.
Protesters waved flags and signs, honked horns and parked campers at the rest stop, and they pledged to stay until the carbon tax was removed.
By October, the group had left with an organizer telling CTV News their departure was due to the looming cold weather and a feeling of being unheard.
The RCMP response in the first week was significant, with uniformed officers observing and standing between protesters and the traffic on the highway.
As the crowd thinned out, so did the presence of officers.
"We were driving by on a daily basis for a while, both in marked and unmarked police cars, just to make sure to keep the site safe for protesters if people want to protest at it. That is a lawful right that people have," Pumphrey said.
In questions about his September request, he says the province was co-operative and in regular contact with them.
There never was a request for RCMP to forcefully remove protesters, the sergeant said, as protesters left on their own.
Devin Dreeshen, Alberta's transportation minister, said he was not aware of the specific emails from RCMP to members of the government but said enforcement is the responsibility of the police.
"When it comes to enforcement issues, that's something that the RCMP, if they see that there is some public safety issue that they need to intervene, that would be an enforcement issue that the RCMP would take," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police question man with gun, suppressor and fake IDs in Pennsylvania in connection with health care CEO killing, sources say
A man is being questioned in the fatal shooting nearly a week ago of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in New York City after he was found Monday in Pennsylvania with a gun and a suppressor like those used in the homicide, law enforcement officials briefed on the situation tell CNN.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
GST break could cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces don't waive compensation: PBO
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday.
BREAKING Canadian government to table fall economic statement next Monday
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is set to table the federal government’s fall economic statement next Monday, the government announced today.
Hazardous conditions expected in some parts of Canada with weather warnings in effect
Hazardous conditions are expected in some parts of Canada this week.
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.